A Qajar gem-set enamelled gold Pendant in the form of an Eagle. Persia, 19th Century. Photo Bonhams

with wings outspread, the chest set with a drilled cabochon emerald, the wings each with a cabochon ruby, the tail with a faceted red stone, the head set with a turqoise and further red stones, with polychrome naturalistic decoration, verso with a portrait of a maiden with floral motifs, with seed pearl suspensions; suspended from a bar set with synthetic rubies and clasp,  the bird 6 cm. high. Estimate: £7,000 - 9,000, € 8,400 - 11,000

Provenance: Property of a Lady.

Exhibited: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1973 to 1986.

For another bird of similar form in the Nasser D. Khalili Collection, see Vernoit, Stephen, Occidentalism, London, 1997, p. 193, no. 146.

Bonhams. Islamic and Indian Art, 24 Apr 2012. London, New Bond Street http://www.bonhams.com